Ramp Merging

Ramp merging, the process of vehicles entering a highway from an on-ramp, is a critical area of research in autonomous driving due to its inherent safety and efficiency challenges. Current research focuses on developing intelligent control systems for autonomous vehicles (AVs) that can safely and smoothly integrate into existing traffic flow, often employing reinforcement learning algorithms, model predictive control, and large language models to predict driver behavior and optimize merging maneuvers. These advancements aim to improve traffic flow, reduce accidents, and enhance fuel efficiency, with implications for both the development of safer AVs and the optimization of existing transportation systems. The use of real-world data and simulations, including consideration of diverse vehicle types and driver behaviors, is crucial for validating and improving these systems.